History and Chronology of Elazığ Industry

Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry

History and Chronology of Elazığ Industry

The State of Industry Before the Republic

The industrial history of Elazığ is very deep-rooted and dates back a long way. When examining Elazığ's industry in the period before the Republic, it is necessary to look at the industrial situation of Harput, which constitutes the province's past. Until the end of the XIX century and even at the beginning of the XX century, Harput, in addition to being an important trade centre, had a structure organized in manufacturing in the form of various professional organizations operating in every class. It was known for its commercial inns, nearly 850 commercial houses, active trade caravans and tradesmen of good morals.
Indeed, when the records of the Dersaadet Ticaret Gazetesi are examined, it is seen that one of the first Chambers of Commerce established in our country was in Harput. The records show that the founding president of the first Chamber of Commerce in Harput, registered in the year 1884, was Sena Kerim Efendi, and that the board of directors consisting of 12 people was composed of tradesmen from different professions.
In this period, activities related to the weaving and clothing industry and the manufacture of handicraft industry goods stand out. In almost every house there were spinning wheels suitable for making cotton yarn, and again in every house there were home looms called weaving pits. In particular, the broadcloth (a well-known fabric made of pure wool) fabrics woven on home looms and used in clothing were either used as woven or, as was very commonly the case, block printing and patterning were applied to these fabrics and they were also sold to the surrounding provinces.
On the other hand, it is stated in the industrial history section of the Elazığ 1st Economy Congress Book that there were 30-35 workshops engaged in tanning (making leather, morocco, sole leather, etc. from hides), that leather and morocco (tanned, polished leather, especially goatskin) work was done in these using sumac, gall nut and pomegranate peel, and that the red ones in particular were exported to Russia.
While these small-scale manufactures continued, the first industrial establishment was Hüsrevin Silk Factory, which produced silk. In this workplace, which employed 60-70 workers, the number of workers rose to 300-400 during the silk season. There was also a dye house attached to the factory, and the woven Çıtara (a kind of fabric made of a blend of one part silk and three parts cotton) and boxed bed sheets were offered to the domestic market.
In the weaving industry, while sheets and fabrics of silk and cloths of cotton yarn were being woven on small-scale looms in the 1900s, this manufacturing became large-scale in 1911 with hand-operated iron looms brought from America, and thus, according to the conditions of the time, the factory known as Beş Kardeşler (Opposite Today's Teachers' House) Silk and Yarn Factory (Opposite Today's Cement Factory), working with this new manufacturing system, was established.
The factory consisted of two sections manufacturing silk and cotton fabrics. In the first section, silk fabrics were manufactured on eight iron looms, and in the second section, cotton fabrics were manufactured on 130 wooden looms. In addition, the factory had a dye house and 3 electric motors, 200 workers were employed, and the silk and cotton fabrics woven here were sought after and in demand for their high quality.
The Beş Kardeşler Silk and Yarn Factory, operated by the State between 1914-1923 to meet the needs of the army, remained in the hands of the Special Provincial Accounting Office for a while after the war. On 12.05.1929, under the leadership of Governor Cemal Bey and with the participation of the Provincial Special Administration, it was converted into a Joint Stock Company and operated. However, on 01.12.1931, ELAZİZ İPEK VE İPLİK T.A.Ş. was established with a capital of 100,000 TL, its silk section was operated for a while, and it was subsequently liquidated.
Industry in the Republican Period
covers. After the proclamation of the Republic, seven branches with departments of blacksmithing, shoemaking, fitting, weaving, knitwear, carpentry and furniture making were opened at the “Dar’ül İtamı San’at Mektebi” (Orphans' School of Crafts), established by the State in Elazığ with the aim of seeking new solutions to the problem of economic development and housing war orphans. Here, orphaned children were taught crafts according to their abilities, public orders were also accepted and the goods produced were sold, and private enterprise was protected and encouraged.
The Hüsrevin Silk Factory and the Beşkardeşler Silk and Yarn Factory established in the province before the Republic enabled the province to gain experience in these sectors. Accordingly, the ŞAYAK KUMAŞ İMALATHANESİ, owned by a single individual, achieved success between 1929-1930, especially with the Şayak fabrics it wove for the army. This small-scale, motorized workshop closed when the owner of the enterprise was caught under the motor belt and died.
The experience in weaving and sericulture manifested itself this time through the establishment of the ELAZİZ İPEK VE İPLİK T.A.Ş factory in a public-private enterprise partnership.
The sectoral experience was institutionalized this time with the establishment on 09.01.1942, with 21 founding partners, of the ELAZİZ İPLİK VE DOKUMA KÜÇÜK SAN’AT KOOPERATİFİ, Elazığ's first cooperative company.
The Cooperative operated with nearly 200 looms and maintained its reputation in the market by weaving an average of 6000 metres of cloth and drill per day until 20.12.1948, on which date its activities were terminated. On the other hand, the silver mine, one of Elazığ's underground resources, was operated by the State in Keban district until 1927; the activities suspended on this date were later continued by Etibank, established in 1935, as the Keban Argentiferous Lead Enterprise.
Again in 1936, ŞARK- KROMLARI T.A.Ş. was established and started its activities with the aim of operating the chrome ores located in the area near Guleman village of Maden district and selling them abroad as chrome ore. In 1939, it was attached to the Etibank General Directorate under the name MAHDUT MESULİYETLİ ŞARKKROMLARI İŞLETMESİ MÜESSESESİ for chrome ore production, and, having been merged in 1984, it still continues its activities under the name ETİBANK ŞARK KROMLARI-FERRO-KROM İŞLETMESİ MÜESSESESİ. The establishment changed its name to ETİKROM A.Ş. GENEL MÜDÜRLÜĞÜ in 1998.
Since viticulture is widespread in Elazığ and grapes suitable for the production of quality wine are produced, the ELAZIĞ WINE FACTORY (in today's Akpınar Neighbourhood) was established by the Tekel Administration in 1944.
In the following years, again by the State, the ELAZIĞ SUGAR FACTORY (next to today's OSB) affiliated with the TÜRKİYE ŞEKER FABRİKALARI A.Ş. GENEL MÜDÜRLÜĞÜ, established in 1956, the ELAZIĞ ALTINOVA ÇİMENTO SANAYİİ T.A.Ş FACTORY (today's Aksaray Neighbourhood), opened in 1959, and the ELAZIĞ MEAT COMBINE, opened in 1968, which was privatized in 1995 and later closed. In 1970, the ELAZIĞ (SİVRİCE) SUPERPHOSPHATE FACTORY affiliated with AZOT SANAYİ T.A.Ş., opened in Sivrice district, was established.
Apart from the industrial establishments listed above, some of the enterprises operating in various branches of industry in Elazığ at that time and opened in the old settlement areas of the city are as follows: 10 auto repair workshops, 12 timber workshops, 15 lathe workshops, 3 foundries, 20 miscellaneous repair shops, 5 radiator repairers, 3 battery repair and manufacturing workshops, 8 mosaic and tile and concrete pipe workshops, workshops for jugs, water vessels, flowerpots, large jars and earthenware pots, 2 ice houses and cold storage depots, and 1 shoe workshop manufacturing at factory standards.
The fact that one of the world's few chrome deposits is located within the borders of Elazığ and that the chrome ores extracted here were exported without being processed was a great economic loss both for the national economy and for the region and Elazığ. To eliminate this loss, the ETİBANK FERROCHROME FACTORY, built in 1977, was put into operation and the production of high-carbon ferrochrome began.
With the expropriation payments received by many citizens due to the Keban Dam, KEBAN HOLDİNG A.Ş. was established in 1969 with three affiliates.
These are, at the OSB entrance on today's airport road, “KEBAN HOLDİNG VE ORTAKLARI PLASTİK SANAYİ ANONİM ŞİRKETİ”, ”KEBAN HOLDİNG VE ORTAKLARI BETON SANAYİ ANONİM ŞİRKETİ” and “ELAZIĞ BAKIRLARI LİMİTED ŞİRKETİ”. The investments of the first two of these companies were realized, while the third remained at the stage of identifying copper and pyrite reserves.
The companies established later are “KEBAN HOLDİNG VE ORTAKLARI AĞIN DERİCİLİK SANAYİ ANONİM ŞİRKETİ”, “KEBAN HOLDİNG VE ORTAKLARI DEMİR-ÇELİK SANAYİ ANONİM ŞİRKETİ”, “KEBAN HOLDİNG VE ORTAKLARI KÖMÜR SANAYİ ANONİM ŞİRKETİ” and “KEBAN HOLDİNG VE ORTAKLARI EROK KİMYA SANAYİ ANONİM ŞİRKETİ”.
It is seen that various industrial facilities other than Keban Holding were also established in Elazığ during this period. In fact, one of the contributions of the Keban Dam to the industrialization of Elazığ has been the emergence of new branches of industry.

Elazığ Chronology

1834 - Founding of Elazığ on the Plain Called “Mezra”
1857 - The American College Was Founded in Harput by the Americans
1866 - Elazığ İzzetpaşa Mosque Was Built of Mud Brick by the Governor of the Time, Hacı İzzetpaşa
1866 - The First Printing House in Elazığ (Taş Destigah) Was Founded by Governor Hacı İzzetpaşa
1867 - The Newly Founded City Was Given the Name “Mamuretül Aziz” in Honour of the Sultan of the Time, Abdulaziz. Among the People It Has Been Called Simply “El-Aziz”.
1869 - The French College Was Founded in Harput by the French
1879 - Elazığ Was Registered as a Province Again
1883 - The Mamuretül Aziz Newspaper Began Publication in Elazığ
1889 - Opening of the Elazığ Central Ziraat Bankası Branch
1896 - The German College Was Founded in Elazığ and Harput by the Germans
1908- Opening of the Elazığ Sericulture School
1911 - The Beşkardeşler Silk and Yarn Factory Was Founded. On This Date, Weaving Looms Were Brought from the USA.
1920 - The Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry Was Founded
1921 - Separation of the Malatya and Dersim Sanjaks from Elazığ
1922 - The Satvet-İ Milliye Newspaper Began Publication in Elazığ
1923 - The “Dar’ül İthamı San’at Mektebi” Was Founded
1925 - The Elazığ Hospital for Mental and Nervous Diseases Was Opened to Service
1930 - Gülüşkür Bridge Entered Service
1930 - The Turan Newspaper Began Publication in Elazığ (Still Continuing)
1931 - Elazığ İpek ve İplik T.A.Ş. Was Founded. The Silk Section Was Operated for a While
1932- Elazığ Municipality Was Established and Began Its Services
1934 - Arrival of the First Train in Elazığ
1935 - Etibank Keban Argentiferous Lead Enterprise Was Founded and Continued Mining Activities in the Region
1936 - Şark Kromları T.A.Ş. Was Founded and Began Chrome Ore Production and Export in the Maden/Guleman Region
1936 - The Elazığ Commodity Exchange Was Founded
1937 - Atatürk Gave the Name “El-Azık”, Meaning Granary, Abundance and Plenty. Due to Its Conformity with Turkish Vowel Harmony and Ease of Pronunciation, It Has Been Used as Elazığ
1937 - Atatürk's Visit to Elazığ
1937 - Kömürhan Bridge Was Opened to Service
1939 - Mahdut Mesuliyetli Şarkkromları İşletmesi Müessesesi Was Founded and, Affiliated with the Etibank General Directorate, Continued Chrome Enrichment Activities in the Region.
1940 - Elazığ Airport Began to Be Used for Military Purposes
1942 - Elazığ İplik ve Dokuma Küçük San’at Kooperatifi, Elazığ's First Cooperative Company, Was Founded with 21 Founding Partners.
1942 - Elazığ Tekel Enterprises Were Founded
1944 - The Elazığ Wine Factory Was Founded
1950 - The Highways 8th Regional Directorate Was Founded
1951 - The Forest Enterprise Directorate Was Founded
1953 - İller Bankası Elazığ Regional Directorate Was Founded
1954 - The DSİ 9th Regional Directorate Was Founded
1956 - The Elazığ Sugar Factory Was Founded
1959 - The Elazığ Altınova Cement Factory Started Production
1960 - Elazığ Airport Began to Be Used for Civilian Purposes
1966 - Start of Construction of the Keban Dam
1966 - The İzzetpaşa Foundation Was Established and Today's İzzetpaşa Mosque Was Built
1967 - The Foundation of Fırat University Was Laid with the Opening of the Higher Technical School
1967 - Elazığspor Was Founded
1967 - The “Elazığ Industry Association” Was Founded
1967 - The Elazığ Small Industrial Estate Was Opened to Service with 831 Workplaces
1968 - The Elazığ Meat Combine Started Production
1968 - İshak Sunguroğlu Published the 4-Volume, 1668-Page Work “Harput Yollarında”, Covering the Province's Cultural and Artistic Life, Traditions, Geography and Folklore
1968 - Keban Holding A.Ş., Open to Public Participation, Was Founded
1969 - Within Keban Holding, the Plastics, Concrete, Ağın Leather, Iron and Steel Industry, Coal Industry and Elazığ Bakırları Ltd Şti. Companies Were Founded.
1970 - A New Bridge Was Built to Replace Gülüşkür Bridge, Which Was Submerged by the Keban Dam Lake
1970 - The Elazığ (Sivrice) Superphosphate Factory Started Production
1974 - Start of Electricity Generation at the Keban Dam
1973 - The First Industrial Exhibition (Fair) in Elazığ Was Organized
1974 - Elazığ Atatürk Stadium Entered Service
1986 - The Fırat Railway Bridge, Türkiye's Longest Bridge at 2,500 Metres, Was Opened to Service
1977 - The Ferrochrome Plant Became Operational
1977 - The Elazığ Feed Factory Was Founded
1986 - The Rebuilt Kömürhan Bridge Was Opened to Service
1987 - The Elazığ Manufacturing OSB Was Founded
1987- Türkiye's First Animal Products OSB Was Founded in Elazığ
1988 - Founding of the Fırat Basin Journalists' Association
1992 - The First of the International Hazar Poetry Evenings Cultural Events Was Held
1994- The Foundation of the Nurettin Ardıçoğlu Culture Centre Was Laid
1994 - Kanal 23 TV and Kanal E TV Began Broadcasting
1995 - The New Akçakiraz KSS with a Capacity of 250 Workplaces Was Opened to Service
2001 - The Elazığ 1st Economy Congress Was Held
2002 - Races Began at the Elazığ Hippodrome
2007 - The Decision to Establish Fırat Teknokent Was Published in the Official Gazette
2009- The New Runway of Elazığ Airport Entered Service
2009- Natural Gas Use Began in Elazığ
2012- The New Service Building of the Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry Entered Service
2012- Elazığ Airport Was Converted into an Air Port with Its New Superstructure and Aprons
2013- The Elazığ Customs Directorate Was Opened to Service in the OSB
2013- The Nurettin Ardıçoğlu Culture Centre Was Opened to Service
2014- The Elazığ 1st Development Congress Was Held
2018- Establishment Works of Teknova (Elazığ 2nd OSB) Began
2018- Fethi Sekin City Hospital Entered Service
2019- The TSE Elazığ Directorate Was Opened
2020- Elazığ Experienced a 6.8 Magnitude Earthquake Disaster on 24 January
2020- The Foundation of the Elazığ Fair and Congress Centre Was Laid
2020- Establishment Works of the Elazığ Agriculture-Based Livestock Fattening Specialized OSB Began
2021- The Elazığ Multi-Partner Bioenergy Facility Entered Service

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